“IT’S NOT THAT BAD,” she said, stabbing a chunk of salmon with her fork. “Stop circling back to it.”
“You know I spent all weekend interrogating that asshole,” Lachlan said, putting down his beer. “You know, the last one you obsessed about.”
“I wasn’t obsessed with Evander—”
“You want to tell me now how you knew where Manzani was?”
“No,” she said, adjusting the napkin in her lap.
She could feel him, like he was still inside her. Connel. Bruised and spent, he’d pampered her pussy all weekend. He wasn’t even there. She didn’t know where he was, but she could feel him all over her body. In every crevice and corner he’d indulged.
“Just no?” her brother asked. “You wouldn’t have known where he was if he didn’t invite you. There’s a reason two people meet in a hotel.”
“Really?” she asked, feigning innocence. “What’s the reason, Lach?”
His head relaxed to the side. “Play with me, that’s funny. ‘Til he knocks you up.”
“I can promise Evander will never have that privilege. And not that it’s your business, but I have an IUD, brother.”
Concern smacked him. “This is the guy who abducts women and chains them to beds for anyone and everyone to screw. I don’t care how into him you are, use protection. Shit, I’ll get you a doc appointment myself. God knows what he gave you.”
“Usually Dad takes the job of demeaning me. Are you following suit?”
“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’m your brother, I worry about you. Sue me.”
“You don’t have to worry. I’m safe and sane.”
“I thought that until you told me about your new McDade story. Don’t you want to lie low? You can’t have a Manzani and a McDade in your life. That guarantees disaster.”
Her brother accepted her explanation for the car and the driver, for her following around another gangster. Well, accepted was a strong word. This lecture had been going on since they sat down and ordered. Thank God they’d foregone appetizers. Already it felt like they’d been there for days.
“From what you’ve said about Evander,” she said, “he has bigger things to worry about.”
“We couldn’t tie him to the women. We know it was him, but not from any source that would stand up in court.”
“How did you find them?” she asked, twisting her fork in the tagliatelle. “The women?”
“Anonymous tip. Someone got word from an informant.”
“That was lucky.”
An anonymous tip. Could it be an anonymous McDade source? Connel wouldn’t mind screwing with Manzani, there was no loyalty there. She’d have to ask.
“For those women, sure. Some of them were in a bad state.”
“What will happen to them now?”
“Everyone got medical attention. Some will be sent back, some will stay.”
“Bet they were glad to see you.”
“Unlike Manzani,” he said. “The way he’d set up that hotel room…” he exhaled and pushed his plate aside. “Are you in trouble?”
“No,” she said, enjoying her food, maybe because she hadn’t eaten much the last three days and had to replenish her stores. “Why would you think I was in trouble?”
“You were talking about doing something you didn’t want to do last week. Then you know where Vex is and tell me you’re writing an article about McDade. Is he how you knew Vex’s location?” No, it was the other way around. “If you’re mixed up in something and need help, I’m always here for you.”
“I know that.” She smiled. “I do and I’m fine.”
His phone rang. “Sorry,” he said, retrieving it from his pocket.
It was nice of him to apologize, but in his profession, sometimes unexpected things cropped up. Kind of like Connel’s life too.
“McLeod,” he answered the call. She poured more wine into her glass to drink. “When…? No, I’m on my way.” He hung up. “I’m sorry, sis, something’s happened. I have to take you home.”
“What happened?” she asked as he took out his wallet.
“Vex just landed at the hospital.”
“Vex? Evander?” she asked, infused by shock. “What happened?”
“That’s what I’m gonna find out.”
She pushed out her chair and grabbed her purse. “I’m coming with you.”
“What? No, you’re not. No.”
She smiled and stood when he did. “Unfortunately, you can’t stop me. It’s a free country.” She slid the strap of her purse up to her shoulder. “And I have a car on the curb with a driver.” Who had kept a low profile so as not to be seen. “Do you have a car on the curb?” No, he didn’t, but that didn’t seem to sway him. Her smug smile stretched. “Who do you think Evander’s more likely to see?”
That got his attention. He sighed. “Fine. Come on.”